Ford Unveils Star-Studded Racing and Music Lineup for Veterans Day Classic
Ford Motor Company has announced new details about the inaugural Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, an event designed to celebrate the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of the United States military community through motorsports, live music, and charitable initiatives. Scheduled for November 11 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida, the event will bring together leading Ford Racing drivers, popular musical performers, entertainment personalities, and nonprofit organizations to create a distinctive Veterans Day celebration.
The event represents a new approach to honoring military service by combining the excitement of competitive racing with live entertainment and opportunities to support veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Featuring a 12-car racing competition, custom military-inspired Ford Mustang Dark Horse R race cars, and performances from established music artists, the event aims to establish a lasting annual tradition centered on patriotism, community engagement, and charitable giving.
The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic will air live from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time exclusively on USA Network and will also stream live on Fandango’s free streaming platform. Entertainment segments will be broadcast live on E! and streamed through TikTok LIVE accounts associated with E! Entertainment and USA Network.
Ford developed the event in collaboration with NASCAR, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), and Blue Star Families. The initiative will support six nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Ford Brings Military Tributes to the Racetrack
The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic will feature 12 Ford Racing drivers competing in six teams, with each team representing one of the six branches of the United States military: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
The competition will take place on Daytona International Speedway’s 3.6-mile road course, which features 12 turns. Drivers will compete behind the wheel of Ford Mustang Dark Horse R race cars equipped with specially designed liveries inspired by military vehicles, aircraft, and vessels.
The racing format will include a 15-minute qualifying session followed by a 30-minute race. The format is intended to showcase the driving skills of professional competitors while bringing an element of friendly rivalry to the military tribute.
The event will unite drivers from different motorsports backgrounds, highlighting Ford’s relationships across the racing industry. By connecting each team with a military branch, the competition will recognize the different missions and responsibilities associated with protecting the United States.
Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Company, emphasized the company’s long-standing relationship with the military community.
According to Ford, the company has supported service members and their families for more than a century. He described the Veterans Day Classic as an opportunity to combine racing, music, and service into a new tradition that celebrates the broader military community.
Six Military Branches Represented by Ford Racing Drivers
The driver lineup includes several well-known motorsports competitors, with two drivers assigned to each military branch.
The U.S. Army team will feature Brad Keselowski and Joey Hand. The team will represent the Army’s history of service and its role in national defense.
Ryan Blaney and Ben Hobson will compete for the U.S. Marine Corps, while Ryan Preece and Logan Sargeant will represent the U.S. Navy.
The U.S. Air Force team will include Austin Cindric and Frankie Muniz. Noah Gragson and Layne Riggs will represent the U.S. Space Force, while Joey Logano and Ty Majeski will compete for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Several drivers also have personal connections to military service. Joey Hand’s father served for 20 years in the Army National Reserve, while Logan Sargeant’s grandfather served for 30 years in the Navy. Frankie Muniz’s father served in both the Navy and the Air Force.
These family connections add a personal dimension to the competition, demonstrating how military service can influence families across generations.
The participation of drivers with direct family ties to the armed forces also reinforces the event’s broader message: recognizing military service involves honoring not only those who wear the uniform but also the relatives who support them.
Custom Mustang Dark Horse R Cars Feature Military-Inspired Designs
One of the main attractions of the Veterans Day Classic will be the collection of six custom Ford Racing liveries created specifically for the event.
Each Ford Mustang Dark Horse R will feature a design inspired by a recognizable vehicle, vessel, or aircraft associated with its assigned military branch. The liveries will translate elements of military engineering and equipment into distinctive race-car designs.
The Army-inspired Mustang will draw its visual identity from the Abrams tank, a battle tank known for its powerful design and battlefield capabilities.
The Marine Corps livery will take inspiration from the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, which is designed to operate across both land and water. The design will reflect the Marine Corps’ ability to conduct operations in different environments.
The Navy-inspired car will reference the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, a prominent naval vessel associated with maritime defense and operational capability.
For the Air Force, the design will draw inspiration from the F-22 Raptor, a supersonic stealth fighter aircraft recognized for its advanced engineering and aerodynamic form.
The Space Force car will reference the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, reflecting the branch’s focus on space-based capabilities and advanced technology.
Finally, the Coast Guard-inspired Mustang will take design cues from the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter, a patrol vessel built for speed and mission readiness.
Through these designs, Ford aims to connect automotive performance with the engineering, technology, and operational capabilities associated with the military.
The customized race cars will also give spectators an opportunity to see how recognizable military equipment can inspire contemporary motorsports design. Fans attending the event will have the opportunity to view the vehicles up close during activities surrounding the race.
Zac Brown Band Leads Veterans Day Entertainment
Music will be another major component of the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic. The entertainment program will be headlined by Zac Brown Band, with additional performances from Russell Dickerson, Jo Dee Messina, Brittney Spencer, and Warren Zeiders.
The combination of country music and motorsports is intended to create an energetic atmosphere while giving the event a broader appeal beyond traditional racing audiences.
The production will be handled by Jesse Collins Entertainment, an Emmy-winning production company known for producing major television events, including The Emmy Awards and multiple Super Bowl halftime shows.
Zac Brown will serve as an executive producer alongside Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Seth Dudowsky, Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, and Brittany Brazil.
Brown expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in an event that combines live entertainment with support for military personnel and their families. He also highlighted the importance of Ford’s commitment to charitable initiatives supporting veterans.
His involvement is particularly relevant because of his connection to Camp Southern Ground, one of the nonprofit organizations benefiting from the event.
In addition to the musical performances, the live program will include appearances by entertainment personalities and special guests. Confirmed guests include Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston and Adam Scherr, host of Everything On The Menu on USA Network and widely recognized by wrestling fans as Braun Strowman.
The program will also feature segments highlighting the experiences of service members, veterans, and military families, alongside information about organizations working to support them.
Major Nonprofit Organizations to Benefit from the Event
The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic is designed to generate support for six nonprofit organizations serving military personnel, veterans, and their families.
The beneficiaries are Blue Star Families, Camp Southern Ground, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Team Rubicon, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the Travis Manion Foundation.
These organizations address different needs within the military community, ranging from family support and veteran assistance to disaster response, bereavement services, and programs focused on leadership and community engagement.
Blue Star Families works to strengthen military families and address the challenges associated with military life. Camp Southern Ground provides programs designed to support veterans and other communities through personal development and related initiatives.
Disabled American Veterans assists veterans with accessing benefits and services. Team Rubicon mobilizes volunteers, including military veterans, to support disaster response and recovery operations.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors provides resources and support to people grieving the death of a military service member or veteran. The Travis Manion Foundation focuses on developing character and leadership while encouraging veterans and families of fallen service members to contribute to their communities.
By supporting organizations with different missions, the event aims to direct resources toward a broad range of military and veteran needs.
Ford Establishes the Proud to Honor Fund
To extend the event’s charitable impact beyond race day, Ford has launched the Proud to Honor Fund, powered by GlobalGiving.
According to Ford, every dollar donated to the fund will go directly to the six participating nonprofit organizations. The fund is intended to provide a continuing channel for charitable contributions associated with the Veterans Day Classic.
Half of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Blue Star Families. Additional contributions will come from merchandise sales and donation opportunities available during the event.
Ford Philanthropy is also providing 1,000 complimentary tickets to eligible military and veteran families, helping more members of the military community participate in the celebration.
The initiative reflects Ford’s approach to combining public events with charitable engagement. Rather than limiting its support to a single day, the company is creating opportunities for fans and attendees to contribute to organizations throughout the year.
Tickets for the inaugural event are available through the official website, fordveteransdayclassic.com.
Proud to Honor Tailgate Offers Activities for Fans
Before the main event, the Proud to Honor Tailgate will provide an interactive experience for visitors attending Daytona International Speedway.
Each nonprofit partner will have a dedicated space where guests can learn about its mission, meet representatives, and discover ways to support its work.
Visitors will be encouraged to volunteer, make donations, and explore opportunities to help military families and veterans beyond Veterans Day.
Motorsports fans will also be able to see the Mustang Dark Horse R race cars and their military-inspired liveries at close range. Ford Heritage race vehicles will provide an additional connection to the company’s motorsports history.
The tailgate will include Ford Racing simulators, exclusive Proud to Honor merchandise, and opportunities for fans to meet participating drivers.
These activities are designed to create a welcoming environment for families and fans while increasing awareness of the organizations benefiting from the event.
The program will also provide opportunities to learn about veteran-owned businesses through a TikTok Shop and Small Business Showcase. The showcase will highlight entrepreneurs using the platform to develop and promote their businesses.
By combining racing attractions, nonprofit engagement, and small-business visibility, the tailgate will extend the event’s focus beyond the track.
Ford Expands Partnerships Supporting Military Families
The Veterans Day Classic is supported by several organizations that share Ford’s commitment to military personnel, veterans, and their families.
NASCAR, IMSA, and Historic Sportscar Racing are contributing to the motorsports side of the event, helping bring together drivers, racing expertise, and the infrastructure required for the competition.
TikTok is returning as a partner after collaborating with Ford on a Proud to Honor benefit concert in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2025. That event raised support for the military community and Ford’s six nonprofit partners.
For the 2026 Veterans Day Classic, TikTok will help spotlight veteran-owned small businesses and provide opportunities for attendees to engage with military-focused nonprofit organizations.
T-Mobile is also participating, reflecting its work to help service members and military families remain connected, support veteran employment, and collaborate with organizations such as Blue Star Families.
USAA, which was founded around the needs and values of the military community, is another partner supporting the initiative.
Versant and USA Sports will provide the event’s television coverage through USA Network and streaming distribution through Fandango’s free streaming platform. The coverage builds on the organizations’ existing relationship with NASCAR and their involvement in motorsports broadcasting.
The combination of media, technology, automotive, and nonprofit partners is intended to expand the event’s reach and connect the military community with a wider audience.
A New Tradition Combining Racing, Music, and Service
The inaugural Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic represents an effort by Ford to bring together its automotive heritage, motorsports partnerships, and charitable commitments in a single national event.
The 12-driver competition, six military-inspired Mustang liveries, live musical performances, celebrity appearances, and nonprofit activities will provide multiple ways for audiences to participate in the Veterans Day celebration.
For Ford, the event also demonstrates how automotive brands can use motorsports and entertainment platforms to build awareness of social causes and support community organizations.
The initiative connects the competitive spirit of racing with the values of service, teamwork, and dedication. By highlighting military branches through individual teams and vehicle designs, the event seeks to recognize the diverse roles performed by service members across the armed forces.
Its charitable component is equally important. Through the Proud to Honor Fund, ticket proceeds, merchandise sales, donations, and partnerships, Ford intends to support organizations that work directly with veterans and military families.
With coverage scheduled for November 11, the event will bring together motorsports enthusiasts, music fans, military families, and viewers across the United States.
The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic is positioned as more than a racing competition. It is a public tribute to military service and an opportunity to turn a day of recognition into practical support for the people and families who have served the nation.
As Ford prepares for the inaugural event at Daytona International Speedway, the company is seeking to establish a new Veterans Day tradition that combines the excitement of American motorsports with live entertainment and sustained charitable giving.
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